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The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts has unveiled plans for a reimagined campus, including a “great lawn” for community events, a new atrium and terrace on the Milwaukee River, a five-story projection wall where performances can be seen live from the street and new seating in its main theater space, Uihlein Hall.

With the performing arts center nearing the half-century mark, the idea is to create a more open, welcoming and flexible campus that can generate more revenue and a wider array of events, said Paul Mathews, president and CEO of the Marcus Center.

“The plan that we’ve put together is our vision for the next 50 years,” Mathews said.

While the overall cost is still being finalized, Milwaukee County has committed $10 million toward the project, which will begin in spring of 2019 and be done over a period of three to five years, Mathews said. The Marcus Center signed a new, 99-year lease with the county last year after a law that would have transferred ownership of the center to the Wisconsin Center District was repealed.

Specifically, the plan calls for a modest, new structure — a rounded, glassy atrium — to be added on the Milwaukee River side of the building. This will provide another entrance to the center and create new event spaces both inside and ona terrace deck above.

A rendering of the reimagined public spaces around the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.(Photo: Courtesy the Marcus Center)

The face of the Marcus Center will be transformed by replacing the dark glass that surrounds the lobby today, sometimes called limousine glass, with highly translucent glass. A band of windows will also be installed on the south side of the building, giving the otherwise impenetrable Brutalist structure a bit of translucency. The new second-floor windows will offer the public peeks inside the building and afford views out to the cityscape, including City Hall and the public plaza below.

"You know they didn't call it Brutalism for nothing," said architect Jim Shields of HGA Architects, who is working on the project for the Marcus Center. "There's no porosity, there's no visibility, no transparency at all in the building now."

The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts plans to renovate its theaters as part of an overall revamping of its complex.(Photo: Courtesy the Marcus Center and HGA Architects)

The center’s main theater, Uihlein Hall, will get all new seating. A new configuration with new aisles will provide greater accessibility, especially for people with disabilities. A total of about 110 seats will be lost. Improvements will also be made to the technology and acoustics in Uihlein Hall, Mathews said.

The plan also calls for the dismantling of a grove of chestnut trees, laid out in a grid and set into the ground, designed by internationally recognized landscape architect Daniel Urban Kiley. This will make way for a more open and accessible great lawn on the south side of the center. People sitting on the grass, which will be brought up to grade, or seated around its edges will have a clear view to performances in the outdoor Peck Pavilion, where a barrier wall that contains sound equipment and that’s no longer needed will be removed, Mathews said.

This public park-like area along Kilbourn Avenue will also include seating similar to that found in Bryant Park in New York City, including lightweight chairs that the public can move around, and illuminated fountains, water spilling over sheets of glass that people can run their fingers over. The hope is to broadcast parts of performances happening inside onto a five-story-high wall in real time in this outdoor plaza, too.

"We really see some opportunity for much greater use of the grounds," Mathews said.

Shields said Kiley’s grove has gotten little use in the last decade or so. It was designed in collaboration with architect Harry Weese, who designed the center’s 1969 building.

"The general term around here … is the black forest and not in a real complimentary way," said Shields, referring to what center staff call the grove today. "It's really dark shade under there."

The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts will revamp the public spaces around its 1969 Brutalist structure, designed by Harry Weese.(Photo: Courtesy the Marcus Center)

The outdoor transformation will also make the area more environmentally sensitive, Mathews said. They plan to improve stormwater management, for instance, he added.

Other changes to the Marcus Center include dotting the campus with illuminated kiosks, back-of-house upgrades, improved restrooms and enclosing Fitch Garden, an uncovered terrace that isn't used in colder months, in glass. The new Fitch Garden will be a year-round event space with spectacular skyline views, Shields says.

The Marcus Center is home to several resident arts groups, including the Milwaukee Ballet, the Florentine Opera Company and First Stage. It is facing some added financial pressure as it prepares to lose one of its major tenants, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, which acquired its own venue, the Warner Grand Theatre, last year. The MSO expects to take up residence at the Warner in 2020.

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1965: A contract for sale of the site for the proposed music hall was signed in city hall. The contract gave the county until December 1966 to purchase and take title of the land, then owned by the redevelopment authority. Sale price was set at $514,000. Participating in the ceremony were (from left) Ald. Martin E. Schreiber, common council president; Eugene Grobschmidt, county board chairman, Ald. Robert L. Sulkowski, vice-chariman of the city redevelopment authority; Mayor Maier; Richard W.E. Perrin, director of city development, and County Clerk Clemens Michalski. The proposed music hall later became known as the Performing Arts Center and is now known as the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

1968: The Center for the Performing Arts is behind schedule and will not open until May 1969 — five months later than expected. In this scene, looking east across the Milwaukee river, the skeleton of the western part of the building — which will house two theaters and a banquet hall — stands in outline against the completed masonry of Uihlein hall of the center. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

1969: This aerial photo looks northeast toward the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts at 929 N. Water St. Construction began on June 27, 1966, and it opened on July 26, 1969. In the background you can see the construction for the connected parking structure. Ned Vespa, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

1969: Officials gathered to watch as the first boat officially docked at Quarles landing at the Performing Arts Center. Riding in the boat were Attorney Louis Quarles (hidden) and Richard R. Teschner, president of the War Memorial Development Center. The landing, a gift from Quarles, and the Cudahy Memorial flag plaza, which borders it, were dedicated at the ceremony. The plaza is the gift of the Patrick Cudahy Foundation. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

1969: Opening night at the new Milwaukee Performing Arts Center (now known as the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts). This photo, taken on the day of the special inaugural performance, shows two performers with the Florentine Opera Company. The opera company performed excerpts from "Lucia di Lammermoor." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

1969: This photo, taken the when the center opened, shows the west side. Newspaper reports said that young people tried to disrupt the formal dedication ceremonies of Seymour Lipton's sculpture "Laureate." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

1969: Opening night at the Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. More than 2,000 people paid $100 each to attend the opening. Excerpts from Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" were presented by the Florentine Opera Company. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

1969: Artist Seymour Lipton with one of his his scupltures. Lipton was commissioned to create a work he called "Laureate," which was installed on the west side of the new Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

1975: Archie A. Sarazin, PAC managing director, and Kathy Trynor, who was an arts management intern at the PAC, were among the 1,200 participants in a Sierra Madre party at the Performing Arts Center. Stephen Liljegren, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

1977: The cast of "Grease" took a flame decorated auto for a drive across the PAC stage. Though still on Broadway, "Grease" was visiting Milwaukee for its third national tour. To celebrate the musical's appearance, a pre-performance sock hop filled the air with '50s music on the Performing Arts Center grounds. Richard Brodzeller, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

1979: The Performing Art Center's has a three-day celebration in honor of its 10th anniversary. Karen Kolberg (left) and Eugene Rubenzer, members of the Friends of Mime Theater, led guests into the showing of the movie "Celebration" in honor of the anniversary. Benny Sieu, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

1980: Violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, the Frenchman who made the pop music world conscious of the violin, toted his bag of jazz-rock, funk and ballads to the Performing Arts Center for a concert. Atlantic Records

1985: What do these horses have to do with a play about food and relationships? They're part of the many backstage elements involved in the Milwaukee Repertory Theater's production of "The Art of Dining" at the PAC's Todd Wehr theater. One element of the presentation is a restaurant design with a carousel motif. Assistant scenic artist Carolyn Hunter Thayer (left) and paint apprentice Linda Freund paint one of the carousel horses. George Koshollek, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

1988: It was a "Nutty Nutcracker" as (from left) County Board Chairman F. Thomas Ament, former football player Larry Csonka and Tom Sutton of WISN-TV practiced for the third New Year's Eve spoof of "The Nutcracker" ballet at the PAC. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

1991: Lynn Grassy (left), assistant wig master with the touring company of "Les Miserables," styles some of the show's more than 50 wigs with wig master Robert Bouvard before a performance at the Performing Arts Center. William Meyer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

1994: Edger Suniga Jiminez, a member of the Costa Rica snow-sculpting team, works high atop the team's creation called "Waiting." The sculpture is taking shape in front of the Performing Arts Center. Eighteen three-person teams from 14 nations participated in the U.S. International Snow Sculpting Competition on the PAC grounds and in Pere Marquette Park. Jeff Phelps, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

2001: Karim Ra (left) as Lancelot defends King Arthur played by Peter Morse against Leodegrance, played by D. Lance Marsh, and Kay and Michaelangello Matarrese (right) during a rehearsal of First Stage's "Arthur — The Boy Who Would Be King." Karen Sherlock

2001: Bob Gaeger, stagehand at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, changes one of the roughly 350 light blubs on the 12,000 pound chandelier in the center's Uihlein Hall. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

2001: Organ techician Bill Hansen of Glendale prepares to re-install one of roughly 3,000 pipes back in the pipe organ after cleaning. The organ sits on an elevator floor under the Uihlein Hall floor and can lowered or raised for performances or cleaning. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

2001: Actor John McGivern, who plays the role of "Tony Whitcomb," hairstylist and owner of Shear Madness Salon in the Milwaukee Repertory Theater production of Shear Madness rehearses with Jenny Wanasek who plays "Mrs. Schubert." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

2002: Marcus Center employees Rick Larson, left, and Mike Weber hang a giant banner behind the center in preparation for the Milwaukee River Challenge, a collegiate crew race along the Milwaukee River in downton Milwaukee. The Challenge was a two-way race, approximately 2.2 miles in each direction from Buffalo St. to Humboldt Ave. and back. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

2003: Dara Stockinger (from left) of Hales Corners and Lisa Myers of Milwaukee make their way through the crowd while attending a mask and costume benefit for the Ronald Mcdonald House at the Bradley Pavilion of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Laura El-Tantawy

2004: The Milwaukee Ballet rehearses Michael Pink's "Giselle 1943," with Amy Foote playing Giselle (far left on floor) and Paul Thrussell as Albrecht ( far right) in a scene at the end of the first act. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

2004: Malinda Rawls from Louisville, Ky. and Pauline Hammel from Calgray, Canada, play during the Accordionists and Teachers Guild International Festival at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

2004: Ralphie, played by Zach Spaciel, is the star of one of the season's favorites, "A Christmas Story," performed by First Stage Children's Theater at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. GARY PORTER, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

2005: Yumelia Garcia is fitted for a costume by Mary Piering at the Milwaukee Ballet Company. The costume is for the upcoming production of "The Reassuring Effects of Form and Poetry" at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Tom Lynn, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

2008: Henry Winkler, known as "The Fonz" from the Milwaukee-based television show "Happy Days," welcomes the public at the Marcus Performing Arts Center for the dedication of "The Bronz Fonz," a statue commemorating him and the show. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

2009: Percussionist Mike Lorenz plays the timpani with a devilish fervor during a performance by the Milwaukee Festival City Symphony as part of the Halloween Pajama Jamboree at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

2010: Milwaukee Ballet performers are lifted into the air during a flying rehearsal of Peter Pan at Milwaukee Ballet Studios. The flying performers are (above left to right) Valerie Harmon, playing Wendy Darling, Marc Petrocci, playing Peter Pan, Nicole Teague, playing Michael Darling, and Peter Zahradnicek, playing John Darling. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

2011: Corvin Ingram, choreographer and dancer for Capita Production — We Are The Drum performs dances during the 27th Annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration held at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

2012: A ceramic piece by Jeffery Raasch of Milwaukee titled "Daphne" sits near the fountain next to the Marcus Center for Performing Arts. It was part of the The Morning Glory Fine Craft Fair. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

2013: Dale Chihuly employee Dustin Ashlock walks past three complete displays while setting up seven large Dale Chihuly glass sculptures at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in Milwaukee. The sculptures were incorporated in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's performances of Bartok's "Bluebeard's Castle" and Mozart's Concerto No. 2 in E-flat major for Horn and Orchestra. The sculptures consist of 176 pieces of glass, some up to 15 feet long. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

2014: Acee Laird, 23, a Milwaukee native, is shown with his adopted father Allan Laird. They gathered for a picture before Acee performed in The Nutcracker at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

2016: Jordan Cameron, a second-grader from Hawthorne Elementary School, received a standing ovation after his rousing delivery at the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration held at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in Milwaukee. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

2017: The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra rehearses with Karina Canellakis. Canellakis is an internationally acclaimed conductor who was preparing for a performance with the symphony. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files

Lorenzo Ruiz of Hoppe Tree Service removes a tree Tuesday at downtown Milwaukee's Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Work was being done to remove four horse chestnut trees that are in poor condition from the grove. Lumber from the removed trees will be repurposed by Urban Wood Wisconsin. The area has been recommended for permanent historic designation, which could block the Marcus Center's plans to remove the entire grove of trees. Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The symphony’s departure cuts about $800,000 from the Marcus Center’s annual earned revenue, which represents a little less than 10% of its overall budget, Mathews said.

Looking toward the future, Mathews hopes the Marcus Center will be at the heart of a multiblock arts sector that includes the newly rebranded, art-focused Saint Kate Hotel, slated to open in the current InterContinental Hotel mid-2019, and a hoped-for redevelopment of an adjacent parking structure, Mathews said.

The latter site is the subject of a graduate-level design studio at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning and led by internationally known Chicago architect Jeanne Gang. That studio is exploring whether the site might accommodate the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, as well as parking.

While the Gang-led studio is speculative, literally an academic exercise, there is real interest in seeing the two museums relocate next door to the Marcus Center, Mathews said.

“You are certainly going to see a new cultural destination around us here,” Mathews said.